Here are the three crucial areas we could see marijuana reform under Trump

"This is a pivotal time," Blumenauer, a Democrat, said in a call
with reporters on Wednesday. "The long term is clear. I've stated
and I strongly believe in five years every state will be able to
treat marijuana like it treats alcohol."

Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, though Oregon is
one of
the eight states that have legalized it and allowed
commercial sale.

Despite the "sometimes
confusing signals" coming from the Trump administration,
Blumenauer said that "we will ultimately be successful
working with this administration" on marijuana reform.

He says that he sees three main areas for Congressional
action on marijuana reform, though he notes that it's less likely
to come as "standalone" legislation, but would rather be tacked
on to other larger legislative packages:

First, Blumenauer has introduced bipartisan
legislation with Rep. Andy Harris, a Maryland Republican, to
eliminate federal roadblocks to researching marijuana. Because of
marijuana's Schedule I status, it's difficult for scientists to
access quality samples and obtain grants to research.

Second, Blumenauer said that he introduced
legislation "ending the punitive taxation" for marijuana
businesses with Rep. Carlos Curbelo, a Florida Republican.
There's a section of the tax code, 280E, that
disallows state-legal marijuana businesses from fully deducting
expenses, because of the conflict between state and federal law.
It produces a tax burden that is up to five times what a
similarly-situated business would face, according to Blumenauer.
Grover Norquist, a conservative tax reformer, has
supported this legislation.

Third, marijuana businesses are largely
forced to operate on an all-cash basis, because risk-averse
financial institutions do not want to bank businesses that are
technically illegal at the federal level. Blumenauer noted that
"not one person" he's spoken with on both sides of the aisle
thinks that this is a good idea, as cash-operating businesses
present security risks and the opportunity to launder money.

Rep.
Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon.AP/ Cliff
Owen

Blumenauer said that these three provisions, which have
"overwhelming" bipartisan support, are highly likely to occur,
specifically through the Senate Finance Committee and the
powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

Marijuana reform, according to Blumenauer, is likely to "flow the
easiest" in the Finance Committee. One of the most
marijuana-friendly lawmakers in Congress, Oregon senator Ron
Wyden, is a a top-ranking member of the committee.

Trump's administration, however, hasn't been friendly to
marijuana reform as of yet. The Jeff Sessions-led Justice
Department has hinted at
cracking down on state-legal marijuana businesses. Department
of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly called marijuana a
"gateway
drug" on Tuesday and said that marijuana possession charges
will be "essential elements" for deporting undocumented
immigrants.

"Marijuana got more votes than Donald Trump and Hillary
Clinton," Blumenauer said on Wednesday,, countering the rhetoric
from Trump administration officals. "And elections are the
clearest expression of public support."

"This is where the American public wants to go," Blumenauer
said. "To do otherwise would be to precipitate yet another clash
for an administration that seems to be bogged down on everything
from immigration to healthcare.

"They don't want to pick a fight to be on the wrong side of
the American public," he added.